Nelson Mandela taken to hospital in 'serious' condition

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is in a “serious but stable” condition after being admitted to a Pretoria hospital on Saturday due to a recurrence of a lung infection, the country’s government has said.

Nelson Mandela was readmitted to hospital early on Saturday with a renewed lung infection and was in "serious but stable condition," South Africa's presidency said, marking the second hospital stay in as many months for the ailing anti-apartheid icon.

"During the past few days former president Nelson Mandela has had a recurrence of lung infection," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement.

"This morning at about 1:30 am (2330 GMT Friday) his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a Pretoria hospital. He remains in a serious but stable condition," it said.

It marks the second hospitalisation in as many months for the frail anti-apartheid hero, who will turn 95 in July. On April 6 he was released after being treated for pneumonia during a 10-day stay.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner has stayed in hospital four times in just over half a year, mostly over problems with his chest.

In December 2012, he was hospitalised for 18 days for a lung infection and for gallstones surgery, his longest stay in hospital since he walked free from 27 years in jail in 1990.

In March he was admitted for a day for a scheduled check-up and during his 10-day stay weeks later, doctors drained a build-up of fluid, known as a pleural effusion or "water on the lungs", that had developed in his chest.

Zuma's office said on Saturday that "the former President is receiving expert medical care and doctors are doing everything possible to make him better and comfortable."

"President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of government and the nation, wishes Madiba a speedy recovery and requests the media and the public to respect the privacy of Madiba and his family."

Mandela has not been seen in public since the World Cup final in 2010, where he appeared on the pitch before kick-off.

Following his April hospital stay, the release of television footage showing a frail and distant Mandela being visited at home by ANC leaders sparked outrage and accusations that the party was exploiting Mandela.

The images aired by state broadcaster SABC -- which were the first public footage of the Nobel peace laureate in almost nine months -- showed an unsmiling, distant Mandela seated upright on a couch, his legs covered in a blanket.

His head was propped up by a pillow, he appeared to speak at one point and closed his eyes tight when someone in the room took a photo with flash.

He was surrounded by ruling African National Congress party leaders including Zuma, who said Mandela was doing well and "up and about".

South Africans took to social networks to accuse politicians of parading their national hero in front of the cameras for their own gain.

Mandela was diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis in 1988 during his 27 year jail term and has long had problems with his lungs.

He has also had treatment for prostate cancer and has suffered stomach ailments.

His eyesight is also said to be highly sensitive to flashlight due to damage caused by the long time he spent working on a quarry during his imprisonment on Robben Island.